Isle of Wight Sheriff Charles Phelps said Harris is believed armed with a shotgun and a semiautomatic handgun.

Phelps said Harris allegedly broke his wife's cheekbone during a fight at their home or during the abduction. The children, ages 13 and 20, were not injured.

Shirley Harris and the children were abducted about 5 a.m. from her parents' home in the Central Hill area after her husband forced his way into the house, Phelps said.

About two hours later, Harris arrived at his sister's home in James City with his wife and the children. Harris left by himself after his sister called their father in Isle of Wight and told him where Shirley Harris and the children were.

"He made a statement that he was going to New York. He has an ex-wife in New York," said Phelps. "Nobody knows where she is, and he doesn't know where she is. We really don't believe he's left at this point."

Law enforcement authorities along the East Coast have been alerted that Harris is at large and may be armed. Warrants have been issued charging him with breaking and entering with the intent to commit abduction, and other charges are expected.

Harris is described as black, 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds. He was wearing blue jeans and was driving a 1986 Burgundy Chevrolet Celebrity with temporary tag number W710401.

Shirley Harris was treated and released from Williamsburg Community Hospital Tuesday morning.

She had been to Louise Obici Memorial Hospital in Suffolk, after a fight with her husband Monday night or early Tuesday, Phelps said. Although she was told by hospital personnel that a sheriff's deputy was on the way, Harris left before the officer arrived and went to her mother's home in the Central Hill area, Phelps said.